I’m all right Jack! – Martin Goss accuses Conservative MP of abandoning poorer residents in Colchester

The Liberal Democrat Prospective MP for Colchester, Martin Goss has today accused the incumbent Conservative MP of neglecting those on low incomes in Colchester, including many children. This follows an announcement that the Government has pulled the vote on Monday (7^th) for their planned vote in Parliament to widen implementation of Universal Credit.

Martin said: “Mr Quince has repeatedly voted for measures that have cut benefits where it is most needed. These includes those who are in supported housing, disabled residents as well as the chronically ill.  

“It is little wonder that Colchester has such levels of poverty, particularly for children growing up in Colchester. Our Food Bank has experienced record requests for help by families and children so that they could eat this Christmas. Under Mr Quince’s Government, child poverty is predicted to rise by 7% from 2015 to 2022 and in Colchester, a quarter of our children are now living in poverty. This is totally unacceptable. Urgent action is needed.”

Martin’s comments come following a result of the recent report by Professor Philip Alston, United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights who observed that:

“For almost one in every two children to be poor in twenty-first century Britain is not just a disgrace, but a social calamity and an economic disaster, all rolled into one.”

Professor Philip Alston further commented in his report:

“Universal Credit is being implemented in ways that negatively impact many claimants’ mental health, finances, and work prospects.”

Martin Goss said: “The report is a damning indictment of this Conservative Government who have taken away the support and real help that families and vulnerable people need when their circumstances take a change for the worse. Homelessness, poverty, crime, drug use, have all increased to alarming levels in Colchester. I have already committed to meet with organisations, charities and individuals during the year towards addressing these but the root cause is as a result of government failures that is seeing an ever widening gap between the now very rich and the very poor.”

Ends

6^th January 2019

NOTE TO EDITOR:

More information can be found at :

Professor Alston’ report: https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=23881&LangID=E

List of welfare cuts supported by Mr Quince:

• Will Quince voted in favour of reductions to the work allowance element of universal credit and reductions to employment and support allowance and against analysing how changes impact those in different incomes.
• Will Quince voted for cuts in housing benefit for recipients in supported housing.
• Will Quince voted for reductions in benefits for disabled and ill claimants required to participate in activities intended to increase their chances of obtaining work.
• Will Quince voted against making the removal of the work-related activity component from employment and support allowance conditional on an impact assessment and against requiring Parliament to approve details of implementing the change.
• Will Quince voted against making the removal of the limited capability for work element of universal credit conditional on an impact assessment and against requiring Parliament to approve details of implementing the change.
• Show vote
• Will Quince voted to remove the “work-related activity component” from the Employment and Support Allowance.
• Show vote
• Will Quince voted to remove the “limited capability for work” element of Universal Credit.
• Will Quince voted in favour of cutting universal credit benefits for many people in paid work
• Will Quince voted for proposed cuts to tax credits and against investment aimed at growing a productive economy focused on science, technology and green jobs.
• Will Quince voted in favour of reducing the amount people are paid in tax credits.
• Will Quince voted to remove the “work-related activity component” from the Employment and Support Allowance.
• Will Quince voted to remove the “limited capability for work” element of Universal Credit.
• Will Quince voted to reduce the household benefit cap, to freeze the rate of many working-age benefits, to reduce social rents in England and for other changes to the benefits system.
• Will Quince voted in favour of an impending reduction in the amount people are paid in tax credits.
• Will Quince voted to reduce the amounts people are paid in tax credits.
• Will Quince voted to reduce the household benefit cap, to freeze the rate of many working-age benefits, to reduce social rents in England and for other changes to the benefits system.
• Will Quince voted to reduce the household benefit cap, to freeze the rate of many working-age benefits, to reduce social rents in England and for other changes to the benefits system.
• Will Quince voted in favour of proposed spending cuts and changes to the welfare system and in favour of spending on new nuclear weapons.

List provided at: https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/25403/will_quince/colchester/divisions?policy=6670

Martin is available for further comment at either his mobile number or email address.

About Martin:

Martin has lived in Colchester since he was four and moved here in 1978.

He attended Prettygate Infants and Junior School before attending Philip Morant School. He also attended Colchester Institute for his further and Higher Education before completing his degree part-time whilst working.

Martin works in IT as a Senior Leader within the Insurance sector and has worked in Colchester so has first hand

experience of being truly local.

He lives in Mile End with his wife Rachel and has family in Prettygate and Stanway.

Martin has been a Borough Councillor in Mile End for ten years and is the Cabinet Member for Waste on Colchester Borough Council. He is also a frequent rail commuter and very active campaigner on a wide range of issues.

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